Last time we played Coachella we were in the middle of a U.S. tour with the Killers. I had whooping cough and was a few weeks away from getting pneumonia and nearly dying so I didn’t want to be there.* This year was a whole different story. We’re three years older and three years more experienced and have played tons of festivals since. Our set fell in between the Breeders and the Raconteurs and this of course was all we could think about in the days leading up to the show. We were very nervous.

When we headed over to the main stage for the Breeders set I spotted Rosanna Arquette. She was wearing a big orange dress and a sun hat and had a TV crew in tow. I hoped silently to myself at that moment that she was not doing a reality TV show.

When we arrived at the main stage our golf cart nearly ran over Jack White. I almost asked him if he wanted a ride but chickened out. Thankfully he was braver than us and came up a few minutes later to give us hugs and thank US for letting HIM cover “Walking With a Ghost.” I almost died.
As if WE need to be getting the Thank you! COME ON!!!! He was so wonderful. And adorable. I loved his outfit!

We watched the Breeders side stage but wanted to get the full show so we went out front
to watch from the crowd. They were so good and so funny. “Bang On” blew my mind. I was starting to feel nervous so I made my way backstage to get into show mode. Then the most amazing thing happened. Kim from the Breeders came up to US! and said hi. We talked her ear off and acted totally insane. Then it was time to play. She asked if they could watch from the side of our stage….as if we’d say no!

Our set was okay. There were so many people watching I sort of felt like throwing up. During “Back in Your Head” we had guitar malfunction. One of our guitar techs’ tuners went on the fritz and we couldn’t get Sara’s guitar to tune. I lost my mind and panicked and froze. Then I told the Whooping Cough story. Which was really not that funny.

Things got back on track after that. Until I saw Kim and Kelley side stage and they waved.
At this point I started playing the lead guitar part in “Walking With a Ghost” wrong. It was kind of awesome.

We finished our set a few minutes early and I actually felt really good about it. We then talked with Kim and Kelley from the Breeders for an hour and we even discussed teaming up and starting a band together. That blew my mind. As did hearing that Pink was apparently sitting directly in front of me for most of our set. I’m so glad I didn’t see her as I think it might have pushed me over the “holy shit” edge. A few nights ago we met Linda Perry and Clea Duvall through Leisha Hailey and Camila from Uh Huh Her and I acted like I was high on crack cocaine and have been cringing since. So thank goodness for small miracles!

After our set and the Breeders hang out we went to the food tent to eat again. On the way
we answered questions for a few press people which nearly got us all killed as we were
standing in the “Golf Cart Only” area. I think. It might have actually been really cool to get killed after our set if only to increase our mystique!

After dinner I got a sweater as it was getting cold. Who knew you could freeze your ass off in the desert? I went to the VIP area to look for some friends and got accosted by a group of really big shirtless dudes with horns in their hair. They bear hugged me and took photos and then finally I was found by my friends. I was frazzled but in good spirits.

We went and saw Sharon Jones. It was amazing. My friend Adrian even picked me up and held me over the heads of the people in front of us so I could wave! I also saw parts of the Verve, Jack Johnson, Rogue Wave and a bunch of stuff I never actually found out what it was. Everyone sounded so good!

We spent the rest of the evening in our trailer back in the artist neighbourhood with our friends and managers taking photos of ourselves wearing silly sunglasses. This looks a lot like a neighbourhood as there are tiny white picket fences around each artists trailer. Our trailer was shared by Vampire Weekend. We never actually met them but I’m pretty sure I saw M.I.A. going in there earlier in the day, which was a really fun moment for me! Big fan!

We made our way to our bus after Jack Johnson finished. Upon all getting settled inside Ted our guitar player suggested a dance party. I agreed because I thought there could be no better way to end a great day. After four songs and a near spill by me on the tile floor I headed to bed.

Goodbye Coachella. Next stop: Phoenix.

— Tegan from Tegan and Sara

*Slight exaggeration

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• Coachella 2008 in Photos